Matador Network's Blog, page 1281

Open-air urinals on Paris streets

It’s a victory for men with small bladders. Now, those who need to relieve themselves while out and about in Paris can utilize one of the city’s new “uritrottoirs” — open-air urinals. “Uritrottoirs” are red boxes installed around Paris, as part of the city’s effort to reduce public urination. They look like giant flower boxes, and contain a straw layer meant to reduce odor. They’re also environmentally friendly — the contents of a uritrottoir can be used to fertilize plants.

Not everyone is pleased with this innovative open-air bathroom, however. According to CNN, one local said, “I think installing a urinal in the streets of Paris for those who don’t respect their surroundings is a good idea, but in my opinion, this model is not attractive at all, and where it’s been set up is not appropriate at all.”

The fact that the “uritrottoirs” are an ugly sight is not the only problem with the project. It’s hard not to wonder why they were chosen instead of proper, free public bathrooms that provide privacy and could have served all genders.

Three of these new urinals have been around since March, with a fourth added just last month, and more planned in the near future. In remains to be seen, however, if the idea will prove popular. It likely depends on the urinals’ placement and location, as well as whether or not they’re actually successful in curbing instances of illegal public urination.

H/T: Condé Nast Traveler

More like this: 7 lesser-known Parisian architectural wonders you can check out for free

The post Paris’ new open-air urinals stain the city’s good looks appeared first on Matador Network.

My cat traveled 4,000 miles

Last year, I took in a six-year-old feral cat with three teeth and mouth herpes. We named her FatFace, and she has become the center of my universe.

When I say she’s become the center of my universe, I mean I’m obsessed with her. Like, people keep telling me I should have a baby instead and I respond with “NO, WHY DON’T YOU HAVE A BABY?!” and they say “I do have a baby” and I’m like “Whatever. At least I can leave my cat alone for a day and she won’t die.”

FatFace is a remarkably low-key cat considering she spent her entire life on the street. Though she’s still skeptical of most humans, she will not bite or scratch when handled and our vet constantly praises her passivity. It’s because of FatFace’s chill demeanor that I decided it was a smart idea to drive her to 18 states of America.

When I told people I was road trippin’ over 4,000 miles with my cat, their face would become grave and a warning would slip from their lips: “I don’t think that is a good idea.” I would in return say “YOU DON’T KNOW MY CAT!” The conversation quickly died after that. The reason why I was traveling with my furry friend was twofold: We didn’t have anyone to cat sit, and I split my time between Austin and Denver and wanted to test how well she could handle traveling.

Some friends and acquaintances may have taken bets on at what point my cat would scratch my face off, but I hate to break it to them: She knocked it out of the park.

My cat saw the French Quarter in New Orleans and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, she ate German food in Columbus and BBQ in Kansas City, and she rested her head on glorious beds in the Great Smoky Mountains, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Rocky Mountains. She even visited Centralia, Pennsylvania, the abandoned town which inspired the video game “Silent Hill.” Little did she know that she would go from the mean streets of Austin, Texas, to one day seeing almost half of America.

Was every moment of the trip perfect? No. At first FatFace slept under my car seat wondering why in God’s name I ripped her from her precious slumber to stick her in a large bumbling box with wheels. Though she wasn’t overly stressed, she looked particularly pissed at me in the beginning, but her resting bitch face makes her look pissed all of the time.

Each day we traveled, 24 in total, she acclimated more, and by the end of the trip she was hanging on the center console watching the world whiz by.

You may be wondering a few things besides “This gal is bat-shit crazy.” For one, yes, FatFace peed and pooped and ate in the car. At first she was a little skeptical, but soon understood that she could do her business while the car was moving. Also, for those who worry about animal safety, our trip was carefully choreographed in ensuring that her welfare was first priority. We weren’t always free to stop and see everything we wanted because of her. Unlike dogs, we couldn’t just pull up to a park, put her on a leash and walk her around. Though she is an adventure kitty, she’s not as adventurous as the ones you see climbing their wee bodies through National Parks.

Would I take FatFace on an interstate journey again? Absolutely, but only if I needed to get her from Point A to Point B. Though she handled the trip well, I also know that being buried under my comforter, profusely drooling, and dreaming about chasing squirrels is her favorite adventure in life.

If you’re thinking of taking your cat on a road trip, talk to your vet first. Or don’t. You know your cat better than anyone. If your cat likes the car and can handle different settings, give it a try. Make sure you’re properly prepared with food, a litter box, and a method of transporting the cat outside of the vehicle (we carried FatFace around in a crowd-pleasing space cat backpack). We brought dirty clothes from home and blankets, which we spritzed with pheromone spray to help calm her. We also looked into CBD oil for cats, but we didn’t want to get FatFace high so that she can pass her drug test for her new job, because kitty’s gotta work.

If you have any questions about cat travels, give me a shout. (Heads up: Even though I’m a modern writer and I need to act like I’m an expert on everything, I am not.) A better resource is the helpful AdventureCats.org.

You can also follow FatFace’s adventures on Instagram. I promise: She keeps her posts PG rated. Maybe.

This article was originally published on The Bigger Picture and is republished here with permission.

More like this: These traveling Insta-cats prove cats are the purr-fect travel companions

The post I went on a 4,000-mile road trip with my cat, and this is what happened appeared first on Matador Network.

Area 51 jobs: Government is hiring

If you’re looking for a pilot job that’s a bit out of the ordinary, you might want to check out this job posting on engineering firm Aecom’s website. Janet Airlines, the unofficial name of the classified airline that serves the United States Air Force, is looking for a First Officer. Janet has its own terminal at Las Vegas airport, and is generally believed to fly from Area 51 and other classified areas, transporting cargo and passengers.

To become a First Officer on this classified plane, you’ll need at least 3,000 hours of flying experience, with a thousand of those hours as the commanding pilot, and another thousand in an aircraft powered by turbines. Perhaps most importantly, you’ll also need to qualify for a TS government security clearance. While you shouldn’t expect to be handed a pile of classified Area 51 documents on your first day, the transporting cargo and passengers may give you a unique insight into the mysterious area.

While the secret airline does not commonly post job openings to the public, this past January they were also looking for flight attendants. Given the unorthodox nature of the airline, however, it’s unclear exactly what that job description would entail.

Whether you’re a UFO enthusiast or a pilot looking for a new challenge, visit the Aecom website to submit your application.

H/T: Lonely Planet

More like this: 10 bizarrely beautiful places in Nevada you have to check out

The post The government is probably, definitely looking to hire a pilot for Area 51 right now appeared first on Matador Network.

12 things travel teaches you

Ah, Earth. You big, beautiful globe of infinite experiences. Whether it’s learning how to tandem glacier hike in freezing rain in Norway, how to greet the Himba people with a proper handshake in Namibia, how to cook quinoa 11 different ways in Peru, or how to face your fear of heights by bungee jumping in New Zealand, travel offers a global education that textbooks just can’t. Full stop.

So next time someone gives you grief about booking yet another trip, let them know you’re only doing it for the sake of real-world classroom participation. Which — hey — is probably still cheaper than racking up student loans. Here’s 11 things travel can teach you that school never, ever will.

1. How to really manage your bank account

Photo: Artem Bali

Ben Franklin knew it. “Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship,” he wrote in Poor Richard’s Almanack. And he was quite the traveler.

When you’re at home, it’s easy to fall into bad habits that have you spending a little too much here, a little too much there — an extra treat or two this week at the grocery store, that lamp you just had to get at Target. But travel requires you to pay more attention to inadvertent expenses, so you don’t find yourself stranded in a foreign country having to scrub toilets with a toothbrush in exchange for a place to sleep. Not to mention, you have to come up with novel strategies to save up for that trip in the first place! Take that, Econ 101.

2. That art and history are actually real…

Photo: Arthur Yeti

Sure, you can name famous works like The Starry Night and the Mona Lisa, and maybe you can even list interesting facts about more obscure pieces of art and architecture from the days you actually paid attention to your sophomore art history prof.

But once you’re standing in the presence of the Persistence of Memory, exploring the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, or sitting in the stands of the Theatre of Dionysus, suddenly the past and its masterpieces feel infinitely more vivid than when you’re leafing through a textbook at 2 in the morning, cramming for your midterm. It’s only then that the world truly comes alive.

3. …and that entire other cultures are, too.

Photo: Quang Nguyen

In other words, time to pop that bubble you’ve been living in your whole life. I’d wager the best professor you’ll have in college won’t be able to teach you anywhere near as much about the world (and yourself) as you’ll learn during a month spent on the road, interacting with people from vastly different cultures than your own.

4. How to expect the best while preparing for the worst

While travel teaches you that the world isn’t as scary as the 24-7 news networks lead you to believe, you still should be prepared. Whether it’s investing in something for your room or hotel like a door stop alarm, carrying a self-defense device, or both, it’s always good to pack a little extra safety blanket, just in case.

And since ninja stars and nunchucks are a bit cumbersome to lug around in your pack, the next best thing is definitely SABRE Pepper Gel. Unlike pepper spray, gel pretty much eliminates the chance of wind blowback (so it only hits the person you’re aiming at, and not you), and it can shoot 20% farther than traditional sprays (up to 12 feet). Also, SABRE has a maximum-strength formula and their Pepper Gel contains up to 25 bursts (5x more than other brands), so you can defend yourself from multiple threats.

Do your research and stay smart. After all, travel is all about education — and with that education, everything is far more likely to be smooth sailing.

5. How to improvise without losing your cool

Photo: Bruce Mars

Van stuck in the desert? No hot water for the week? Spotty internet? Bedbugs? Travel isn’t always pretty. Rather than losing your cool, channel your inner, zenned-out MacGyver to make the most out of the situation. Because, who knows? Maybe your van being stuck will result in a group of Israeli guys inviting you for a cookout, drum circle, and Simon-and-Garfunkel singalong in the desert. Cecilia might shake your confidence, but little else will.

6. How to solve math equations that don’t involve imaginary numbers

Photo: Aris Sfakianakis

I’m not just talking about us Americans having to convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, kilometers to miles, and meters to feet. At some point, if you’re an avid traveler, you’ll be faced with split-second currency conversions that will test your number skills, especially when hopping through multiple countries on one trip.

Case in point: I once found a yurt in San Pedro de Atacama right after crossing into Chile from Bolivia for about 52,000 Chilean pesos, which we calculated to be $8 US. My friend and I were stoked, especially because the yurt came with clean towels. We even ended up staying two nights because of the price and comfort — and then we found out at checkout that 52,000 Chilean pesos was actually…$80. We got slapped with a pretty big F on our travel math test for that week.

7. How to make friends with someone you can’t even understand

Photo: Fancycrave

I spent a week in Colombia with a friend I probably exchanged a total of 20 sentences with. Not only was my Spanish rusty, but he was deaf and could only read lips. Turns out, communication can extend far beyond words, even if it means a lot of awkward smiling, shrugging, and pointing. This is one skill you definitely won’t find in next semester’s course offerings.

8. How to haggle without being a jerk

Photo: Geoff Greenwood

And no, by “haggle” I don’t mean causing a scene because you’d rather pay 25 cents instead of 30 cents for a street pupusa. I mean haggling at a market for a souvenir or maybe trying to get a cheaper rate on a hotel room, a skill that can help you when you potentially — gasp! — settle down and want to land a job. Seriously though, are there truly no college courses on haggling?

9. How to navigate foreign streets like you’re straight out of Baby Driver

Photo: Pexels

Want to drive like the badass you know you are? Try learning how to manage a stick shift for the first time in the middle of the Australian Outback while dodging a family of emus or having to navigate rush-hour traffic in Bangkok. After that, everything — everything — else involving roads and cars will be a piece of cake.

10. How to stay organized

Photo: Angelina Litvin

Unless you enjoy wrinkled clothes, shampoo bottles exploding in your shoes, or loose razors floating around your pack ready to slice a wandering hand, travel will teach you to keep the contents of your bag organized to maintain your sanity.

Travel also teaches you to stay on top of your flight details (so it doesn’t take you an hour to realize your travel partner is actually at the other airport in Buenos Aires), keep track of your immunization records (so you’re not left stranded at some border checkpoint because you can’t prove you got that Yellow Fever shot before you left), and know in the back of your mind how many days it’s been since your mom last heard from you (to avoid her starting a Facebook search group and inviting everyone on your friend list to join).

11. That being embarrassed really isn’t the end of the world

Photo: Constantinos Panagopoulos

When I was younger, people at school thought I was perpetually sunburned. Nope, just perpetually embarrassed. Travel can be awkward, trying, and embarrassing, all rolled up into one uncomfortable ball of uncertainty. You’ll probably order the wrong thing in Thailand and end up with stomach issues the next day while ziplining. You’ll probably get on the wrong bus and find yourself on the wrong side of Amsterdam with no map. You’ll probably go on three wine tours in one day in Argentina and “misplace” your phone.

But who really has time to dwell? Brush yourself off and keep going. After all, it’s all about the learning process.

The post 11 things travel can teach you that college never will appeared first on Matador Network.

How to do wine country with kids

Northern California’s wine country conjures up visions of romantic sunset dinners, wine tasting at elegant vineyards, and staying at cozy inns or hip boutique hotels. For pre-kid couples, it’s an ideal weekend destination, but add children to the mix and wine country may seem like a terrible idea for a trip. Thankfully, this simply isn’t true.

In fact, Napa and Sonoma are great places to have an exciting and relaxing family vacation. It just takes some extra planning — but if you’re a parent who travels with kids, you already know how to do that. There’s already plenty for adults to enjoy and imbibe. Here’s how to make this adult playground enjoyable for the kids, too.

Photo: Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks

Parks and Rec

Northern California’s wine country is full of wooded valleys, rivers, rolling hills, and, in places, views of the Pacific Coast. It’s also full of specifically kid-focused activities like parks, playgrounds, and museums.

On sunny days locomotive lovers can ride a miniature train at Sonoma’s TrainTown or Santa Rosa’s Howarth Park. Both parks offer free admission with pay-per-ticket fees for rides or attractions. For cooler, wetter days, the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County or Charles Schulz Museum (of Peanuts fame). Both are in Santa Rosa and great options to keep the little ones busy with indoor activities and exhibits. Older children can go kayaking on the river, zip-lining in the forest, go indoor GoKart racing, or hit up one of the escape rooms that have been popping up around the wine country.

Photo: erinmalonemedia/Shutterstock

Armstrong Woods is a playground of another kind. It’s awe-inspiring and less crowded than Muir Woods, which is further south in Marin County. It has hiking paths, campsites, and perfect spots for family picnics. If you want to skip the hike and stick to just a picnic, wineries and shops like Cornerstone Sonoma, Korbel in Guerneville, and V. Sattui in St. Helena supply all the provisions for a picnic of charcuterie, crudites, and PB&J.

Photo: Bouchon Bakery

Kid-friendly eats

California’s wine country is home to celebrity chefs and world-famous restaurants, and wining and dining is certainly a draw for adults. But the regional bounty of fresh ingredients and attention to great cooking means there is also plenty of delicious food for younger palates, as well.

You don’t need sport coats or heels to enjoy the cooking of Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame). You can savor his creations with lunch at AdHoc’s Addendum and dessert from Bouchon Bakery, both Thomas Keller restaurants. A late-summer party of local families might have them, and their strollers, all gathered outside enjoying a bucket of Addendum’s signature fried chicken. Treats from Bouchon Bakery (pre-ordered online to bypass the enormous line) make the warm weather outing as child-friendly as Napa Valley’s Yountville could possibly get.

Photo: Gott’s Roadside – St. Helena

In Sonoma County, the team at Santa Rosa’s Rosso Pizzeria crafts Neapolitan-style, wood-fired pizzas. While adults will appreciate the fresh ingredients sourced from local farms, kids will love picking out their toppings for their own pizzas. For dessert, Screamin’ Mimi’s Ice Cream in Sebastopol is every Sonoma County family’s go-to. With a changing menu of ice-cream flavors by the day, you can get as many samples as you like. Before stepping in, you’ll be drawn in by the sweet smell of the housemade waffle cones being molded, hot off the waffle irons.

Once you start looking, you’ll find kid-friendly eats all over wine country. At Gott’s Roadside in Napa or St. Helena, juicy burgers are made with grass-fed beef, and the luscious shakes use local Double Rainbow ice cream. In the city of Sonoma, you can get brick-oven pizza or pasta at The Red Grape and two scoops at Sweet Scoop Homemade Ice Cream.

Photo: Carneros Resort and Spa

Kid-friendly accommodations

While celebrities fly into wine country on private jets for weekend getaways to villas at Meadowood or Auberge Resorts, there are in fact accommodations that will allow kids and fit into your budget. The Hilton Garden Inn has locations in both Napa and Sonoma with pools in both places. Airbnb’s are also an option throughout Sonoma and Napa counties.

Photo: The Sandman Hotel

Recently renovated motels are also retro-chic lodging options for families, notably Calistoga Motor Lodge on the Napa side and the Sandman Inn on the Sonoma side. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they also offer a complimentary breakfast, games, and family-friendly swimming pools.

If you want to splurge, Indian Springs Resort has rental cottages that are perfect for families and mineral baths where you and the kids can all swim together. At the Carneros Inn, you can watch your toddlers roam the grounds as you rock back and forth on your cottage porch, sipping a local sauvignon blanc.

Photo: AutoCamp

Camping and glamping

Wine country is full of KOA and other campsites for RVs and tent camping. From the valleys to the coast, there’s plenty of nature to take in from a tent. For a more pampered outdoor experience, you can stay in a vintage Airstream. Along the Russian River is Autocamp, where there’s still WiFi in a grove of redwoods. After roughing it with a vigorous hike at neighboring Armstrong Woods, fire pits, s’mores, and hot showers await.

You can also glamp at Safari West, which imports its tents from Botswana. You can travel to the Serengeti and sleep among the wildlife without ever leaving the country. In the morning, you can take a safari ride throughout the park. This is best for school-aged children as the minimum age for visitors is three years old.

And, yes, you can still go wine tasting.

Photo: Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Sonoma and Napa have a few key wineries that can be appreciated by both kids and their parents. Our favorite for families in Sonoma County is Geyserville’s Francis Ford Coppola Winery with its film memorabilia inside and sparkling pool outside. In Napa, Castello di Amorosa is a 13th-century, Tuscan-style castle where kids can sip grape juice while parents taste. At Sterling Vineyards, everyone can enjoy a ride up in a gondola for a view of the valley, and kids get activity packs to keep themselves busy during their parents’ tastings.

Photo: Castello di Amorosa

With precious cargo in tow, obviously don’t drink and drive. You can arrange for a designated driver, hire a driver for the day via WineCountryDrivers.com, or use car service apps like Uber or Lyft. If you do decide to schedule tastings sans children, you can make arrangements with a local nanny service like Nanny On Call or one recommended by your hotel.


More like this: What you need to know if you’re traveling with kids in 2018

The post How to do California wine country with kids — and actually all have fun appeared first on Matador Network.

Rocky Mountain hikes for foliage

The claim to leaf-peeping fame may belong to New Englanders, but the Rocky Mountains offer their own share of the country’s best spots for fall foliage. The region’s aspens and cottonwoods stand toe-to-toe with any Massachusetts maple when it comes to color. From Bozeman to Boulder, you’re sure to get a good look at nature’s fireworks as the leaves turn in the Rockies. The fact that you’ve got 80-million-year-old mountains for a backdrop, including 53 fourteeners packed into Colorado alone, is just icing on the cake. Grab your camera and your walking shoes, and start planning these stunning Rocky Mountain hikes for fall.

West Fork Rio Santa Barbara Trail, Carson National Forest, New Mexico

Photo: bjul/Shutterstock

Distance: 20.4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous — gradual 3,183 feet of total elevation gain

Tucked within the Pecos Wilderness section of the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests, the West Fork Rio Santa Barbara Trail runs just south of Taos. Enjoy the brilliant aspens lining the trail and running up the mountainsides as you listen to the soothing sounds of the Rio Santa Barbara below. If you go early enough in the fall, you’ll not only catch the turning aspen leaves but also meadows filled with wildflowers. Just be sure to keep your eyes open for wildcats.

Goose Creek Falls, McCall, Idaho

Photo: Sarah Jessup/Shutterstock

Distance: Three miles in and out

Difficulty: Moderate — 685 feet of total elevation gain

Evergreen firs, spruces, and pines rise above lower foliage popping with flaming hues on this trail near Brundage Mountain Resort. It’s busy in summer, making fall the perfect time to hike in peace and solitude. After crossing creeks and winding your way on well-marked trails, you’ll arrive at last at the 60-foot Goose Creek Falls. Scramble carefully down to the river for views looking up at the falls.

South Cottonwood Creek Trail, Bozeman, Montana

Photo: Brian A Smith/Shutterstock

Distance: 4.4 miles out and back

Difficulty: Easy — 488 feet of total elevation gain

Not to be outdone by aspens in fall, bright orange cottonwoods light up dense forests and expansive meadows on this rad hike through the Northern Rockies. If you hit the trail on a hot fall day, the creek is next to you the entire way in case you need to cool off. While you might not break a sweat with fewer than 500 feet of elevation gain, you can easily make this a longer trek by pushing on to the History Rock or Blackmore trails. These extensions make the area perfect for quick day hikes or overnight trips.

Mount Sentinel: The “M” Trail, Missoula, Montana

Photo: Patti Anderson/Shutterstock

Distance: 3.5 miles up and down

Difficulty: Strenuous — 11 switchbacks with 1,958 feet of total elevation gain

This hike is popular with visitors and locals alike as the mountain’s peak provides views of Missoula and the University of Montana below. In fall, the valley bursts with a range of oranges and yellows as the leaves turn. You can also see the Clark Fork River and mountains to the north and south from the summit. Make sure to snap a shot of the famous concrete “M” poured atop the site of the original stone symbol that students built at the turn of the 20th century.

Taggart Lake-Bradley Lake Loop, Grand Tetons, Wyoming

Photo: Rob Marmion/Shutterstock

Distance: 5.5 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate — 585 feet of total elevation gain

This loop hike offers a huge payoff for seemingly little work. Glacial lakes reflect craggy Teton peaks, including Grand Teton itself. The peak towers nearly 14,000 feet over sagebrush and patches of forest aflame with autumn aspens. Bust out your camera for the panoramic views of the Tetons over both Bradley and Taggart Lakes. Plus, the woods are packed with wildlife — just don’t forget your bear spray.

Fern Lake Trail, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Photo: De Lorcel/Shutterstock

Distance: 7.6 miles out and back

Difficulty: Strenuous — about 1400 feet of total elevation gain

The Fern Lake Trail offers beautiful views of the valley below as it winds along the Big Thompson River before dropping into Fern Crash at The Pool. Here, a forest fire blazed through much of the surrounding area in 2012. You might think pockets of it are still burning, but those are just the aspen trees changing color, famous for painting swaths of the mountainside a stark orange during fall. Further on past The Pool you’ll see magnificent 60-foot-high Fern Falls before continuing the climb to look at last over Fern Lake. From the lake’s northern shore, you’ll have stellar views of 12,000-footers Notchtop and Knobtop Mountain. Hike a short distance to the eastern side for killer views of Stones Peak, watching over the lake at nearly 13,000 feet.

Royal Arch Trail, Boulder, Colorado

Photo: JKO Photos/Shutterstock

Distance: 3.5 miles out and back

Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous — about 1400 feet of total elevation gain

Cooler autumn days should give you more privacy on this heavily trafficked trail to the red rock arch. It may be short, but it’s no cakewalk. You’ll gain 1,400 feet of elevation through a grassy meadow and pine forest as you hike upwards along the base of the Flatirons. When you’ve hit the flagstone staircase, scramble up and claim your reward: spectacular views of the golden leaves exploding across the Boulder Valley.

American Lake Trail, Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado

Photo: robert cicchetti/Shutterstock

Distance: 6.4 miles up and down

Difficulty: Moderate — gradual 1,965 feet of total elevation gain

As legend has it, the Maroon Bells are the most photographed peaks in Colorado — likely a result of the parking lot at Maroon Lake, which gives tourists a hike-free payoff. You’ll become a master of the switchback on the way up and be rewarded for your efforts with much better views of the peaks, Castle Creek Valley, and the surrounding Maroon Bells Wilderness as you work your way up towards American Lake. Take photos as you rest on the way up, or completely unplug and just take in the epic scenery.


More like this: The best scenic train trips to see fall foliage in the US

The post The most beautiful hikes in the Rocky Mountains you need to do this fall appeared first on Matador Network.

Cheap weekends to travel this summer

The Seattle Mariners are still in contention. If there’s one sign that fall hasn’t started yet, that’s it. Nevermind the fact that school started back up this week in some parts of the country, and parents are rejoicing like Christmas came in August. Temperatures are still in the triple digits, football games still don’t matter, and there’s still surly teenagers working at your neighborhood pool. It’s summer, dammit, whether the local public-school district says so or not.

Since the warm weather is sticking around and the crowds are dwindling as kids head back to class, this will be the best time of year to take a quick weekend vacation. And ample opportunities still abound, even if you already blew most of your summer vacation budget on rosé and unicorn pool floaties. Despite inflated summertime airfares, there are still a few summer weekends with pretty good deals.

The zany travel search-engine gurus at Kayak figured out that the median airfare for a summer weekend trip is around $441. That’s a little steep for 48 hours in Providence — we know — but they also found some other weekends with considerably lower prices.

The cheapest weekends left to travel this summer are…

The weekend of August 25 will see the lowest airfares, with median weekend prices of $305. That said, you’ll need to act quickly to get in the advanced purchase window for the weekend before Labor Day.

If you’re willing to spend the last holiday of summer at home, flying Labor Day weekend is pretty cheap, too. Provided you fly home on Sunday, weekend flights can be found for a paltry $312. If you wanna save another dollar, wait a weekend when flights for the September 8 weekend are only $311.

Looking to get out of the country for one last great summer hurrah? The bad news is that flights are still going to cost you. The good news is that a few weekends will have much lower airfares than the usual four-digit eye-poppers. The weekend of August 25, once again, will be cheapest with average airfares about $607.

The weekend of September 8 is the next cheapest at $609, followed by the alarmingly soon August 18 weekend, which will see median round trips around $613 — though a last-minute flight out of the country still sounds a little shady.

Hotel deals can be found last minute, too.

Though Kayak suggests booking hotels four weeks in advance, it also maintains that booking one to two days before your trip can yield savings of $15-20 per night. You’ll find the greatest savings if you search over the weekend when statistically 23 to 30 percent fewer people are searching, and the prices will inherently be lower. Supply and demand, yo.

Kayak also suggests checking in on a Sunday or Monday and never checking out on a Sunday to maximize savings. Though if you’re trying to book a weekend trip, you’ll need to bend the space-time continuum to pull that one off, which will probably negate the twenty bucks you save on a hotel room.

Don’t let anyone trick you into thinking there are no more vacations to be had this summer. Whether it’s the school zones you drive through or the bank account that’s not as robust as it was, summer weekend getaways are still totally possible — or at least more possible than the Mariners ever sniffing the playoffs.


More like this: JetBlue’s fall sale has one-way flights for as low as $34

The post These are the cheapest weekends left to travel this summer appeared first on Matador Network.

Vienna named the most liveable city

There’s a brand new city atop the “World’s Most Liveable City” rankings. Melbourne and Vienna have been vying for the top spot for years, with Melbourne prevailing for the past seven years in a row. But now, a decrease in militant attacks in western Europe coupled with the city’s low crime rate has vaulted Vienna past Melbourne into first place. Although Vienna has regularly occupied the top spot on other quality of life surveys, this is the first time it’s topped the prestigious Economist Intelligence Unit’s list.

In a statement, EIU explained the cause of this year’s upset: “While in the past couple of years cities in Europe were affected by the spreading perceived threat of terrorism in the reason, which caused heightened security measures, the past year has seen a return to normalcy.”

Both Vienna and Melbourne scored maximum points in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, but Vienna’s much-improved stability ranking put it over the top. Other countries in the top five include Osaka, Calgary, and Sydney, indicating a trend favoring medium-sized cities in wealthy countries.

Equally intriguing for some — though probably not for the loser itself — is the city that came in last place. This year that was Damascus, Syria, followed closely by Dhaka in Bangladesh and Lagos in Nigeria.

Vienna can’t become complacent, however, because you can bet Melbourne is itching to reclaim its title in 2019.

H/T:

More like this: Mapped: The world’s most liveable cities

The post Vienna just edged out Melbourne as the “World’s Most Liveable City” appeared first on Matador Network.

7 adorable French villages to visit

Everyone should see Paris at least once in his or her life, but as French tourism goes, it’s only the beginning. One of the cardinal sins of travel is limiting your itinerary to capital cities alone, and there’s no better place to venture out into the countryside than France, home to villages so quaint they look like they were ripped straight out of a fairytale. From medieval towns to artisan communities, these adorable French villages will have you itching to travel to France — without feeling the need to stop in Paris.

1. Eguisheim, Alsace

Photo: lukaszimilena/Shutterstock

Eguisheim, a stop on the Alsatian wine route, is the perfect choice for anyone with a weakness for Riesling or a soft spot for enchanting scenery. The village itself has all the storybook charms you’d expect of a small French town: narrow streets lined with half-timbered houses grown over by vines; a few shops and restaurants offering meats, cheeses, and other local goods; and a thousand-year-old history represented in its many historic sites. Of course, we’re not the first to dub this village one of France’s finest: In 2013, it was voted the Favorite French Village by the French themselves, so you know it’s pretty spectacular.

2. Saint-cirq Lapopie, Lot

Photo: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock

A member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, an association dedicated to recognizing the most beautiful villages in the country, Saint-cirq Lapopie has a dramatic cliffside location overlooking the Lot river and a rich history tracing back to the Middle Ages. If you like to walk long distances, you can also visit Saint-cirq Lapopie as part of the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route that passes through France. Just be sure to spend at least enough time in town to take in the views from the castle.

3. Kerhinet, Loire-Atlantique

Photo: Rolf E. Staerk/Shutterstock

There’s nothing more endearing than a thatched-roof cottage except an entire village comprised of thatched-roofed cottages with a strict no-cars-allowed policy. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Kerhinet, an adorable village and open-air museum in the Loire Valley. Restored by the Brière Regional Nature Park, this tiny town hosts a total of 18 stone cottages, including the Chaumiere des Saveurs and Artisanat (Flavor and Craft House), which is run by local craftsmen selling everything from artwork and jewelry to locally harvested salt, cider, and other artisan goods. If you visit during the summer, don’t miss out on sampling the regional cuisine at the weekly Thursday market.

4. Assignan, Hérault

Photo: Chateau Castigno

If there’s anywhere in France that gets as much press as Paris, it has to be the south. Sure, ritzy cities like Cannes and Saint-Tropez get most of the attention, but the entire southern coast is awash in natural beauty, historical value, and food and wine scenes well worth checking out. Assignan is no exception, especially since Village Castigno set up and turned the village into a colorful retreat for gourmands and wine lovers. Nearby, you’ll find vineyards spread across the countryside connected by dirt roads you can meander down via scooter or bicycle while taking in eyefuls of greenery. Wine tasting is an obvious draw to the area, but you’ll also find traditional bistros and farm-to-table restaurants in town where you can pair delectable recipes with some of the finest vintages in all of France.

5. Noyers sur Serein, Bourgogne

Photo: RnDmS/Shutterstock

Noyers sur Serein is a cluster of medieval architecture, half-timbered houses, and cobblestone streets. The village hosts renowned truffle fairs every November, during which the locally sourced delicacies draw buyers from all over the country. Situated on the River Serein not far from white-wine-hub Chablis, the village’s city center dates back to the 15th century and has hardly been updated since, so wandering around feels a little bit like traveling back to a simpler time. There are more than 50 historic sites in town, and you’ll also find notable landmarks like the Abbey of Fontenay just outside the village.

6. Estaing, Aveyron

Photo: leoks/Shutterstock

If postcard-worthy villages tucked away at the base of Gothic fortresses amidst rolling hills aren’t your thing, stay far, far away from Estaing. And if the idea of filling your days with castle views, bridge walks, and riverside picnics sounds dull to you, avoid this village at all costs. The iconic stone bridge with its wrought-iron detailing was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998 for its historic value as part of the Santiago de Compostela route. Other notable sites in Estaing include the 15th-century castle overlooking the village, the Renaissance-style houses peppering the city center, and the Church of Saint-Fleuret, which features intricate stonework, stained-glass, and houses a handful of impressive artwork.

7. Rochefort-en-Terre, Bretagne

Photo: Rolf E. Staerk/Shutterstock

This village in northwestern France is one of the most popular spots in Brittany, which comes as little surprise given how pretty it is. Granite houses dressed in geraniums and other bright flowers can be found around every corner, so it often looks like the entire village is in bloom. Beyond touring the Château de Rochefort-en-Terre, you’ll also enjoy the cute central square, 16th-century Church of Notre-Dame-de-la-Tronchaye, and the Naia Museum, which is located on the castle grounds and hosts more than 200 pieces of mostly modern art.


More like this: 7 delicious pastries worth traveling to France for

The post 7 adorable French villages that will make you skip Paris completely appeared first on Matador Network.

Balvenie 50-year-old scotch on sale

On Monday, The Balvenie announced that it would be selling one of the oldest made available to the public: a 50-year-old scotch. And yes, it’s $38,000 for a 750ml bottle. The whisky is sourced from four American Oak casks, each aged 50 years or more, and then blended together.

In a statement, malt master David C. Stewart said, “Marrying aged whisky stocks in undoubtedly one of the most challenging, yet enjoyable facets of my role…this was a chance to explore the furthest reaches of our precious aged stocks.” He goes on to say how The Balvenie Fifty took months to complete, as liquids of extreme ABV, taste, and age are more difficult to work with.

According to The Balvenie, the whisky combines “malt and oak lusciously [with] brown sugar, toffee, and some spiced ground ginger.” As for taste, drinkers will find it “deep and mature with oak, some maple syrup, tangy citrus notes, and nutmeg, ending on a delicious honeyed sweetness.”

Clocking in at 41.6 percent ABV, the whisky is now available at select retailers across the US.

H/T: Food & Wine

More like this: Infographic: The ultimate beginner’s guide to whiskey

The post The Balvenie just released a 50-year-old, $38,000 whisky appeared first on Matador Network.